Dereck Rodriguez collected his third win of the year in Wednesday's victory.
photo by Tim Evearitt
The Chattanooga Lookouts extended their wining streak to eight games after defeating the Tennessee Smokies by a score of 5-3 on Wednesday night. The Lookouts won for the 26th time in their last 31 games.
The Lookouts are now 12-1, five games ahead of Tennessee in the Southern League’s North Division’s second-half standings.
Chattanooga won the first-half title.
The Lookouts pitching staff did their job, as they combined for twelve total strikeouts. Lookouts starting pitcher Dereck Rodriquez (3-0, 3.74), earned the win for the Lookouts. Rodriguez threw seven innings, giving up two runs on seven hits. He walked two and struck out six.
Chattanooga came out swinging as they got on the board in the bottom of the first inning when Jon Rodriguez smacked an RBI single into left field, allowing Edgar Corcino to score.
Tennessee would answer in the top of the second inning when they scored a run in the top of the second..
Chattanooga extended their lead in the bottom of the second. Alex Perez hit a sacrifice fly to center field, which was deep enough for Levi Michael to score from third base. Nick Gordon followed Perez with an RBI double on a line drive to center field. Travis Harrison scored on the play, making the score 3-1.
In the top of the third inning, Tennessee scored a run. Chattanooga responded in the bottom of the third.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Carlos Paulino's sacrifice fly to left allowed Harrison to score from third base.
Todd Van Steensel came on for the eighth inning and struck out the side. He got one more out in the ninth inning (on another strikeout), but he gave up one run on three hits.
Tennessee made things very interesting in the top of the ninth inning when they scored a run and then loaded the bases. Lookouts relief pitcher, Nick Anderson, worked his way out of trouble, as he struck out power hitter Jason Vosler to end the game.
Van Steensel picked up his third hold of the season. Anderson, on his birthday, collected his second save of the season.
Levi Michael led the offense. He went 3-for-4 with his tenth double. Travis Harrison went 1-for-2 with two walks and his 15th double. He also stole a base.
Nick Gordon added an RBI double, his 22nd of the year. LaMonte Wade and Jonathan Rodriguez were both 1-for-3 with a walk.
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Game three of the five game series between the Chattanooga Lookouts and the Tennessee Smokies will be on Thursday, July 6th at AT&T Field. The first pitch is set for 7:15 PM.
The Lookouts will send RHP, Fernando Romero (7-5, 2.90) to the mound to start the game, and RHP, Preston Morrison (0-7, 5.03), will get the start for the Smokies.
Nick Gordon hit is 22nd double of the year in the 5-3 win.
photo by Tim Evearitt